Job Description

Animal Care Associate

Under the direct supervision of the Operations Manager, the Animal Care Associate provides essential daily care to shelter animals while maintaining a safe, sanitary, and low-stress environment in alignment with established protocols and best practices.

This role serves as the foundation of Shelter Care operations, ensuring animals receive consistent husbandry, enrichment, and monitoring while supporting positive experiences for adopters, volunteers, and staff.

Creating an inclusive and welcoming culture is central to our work. As outlined in our PETS Work Culture Agreement, we uphold Praise, Engagement, Trust, and Support in all interactions.

Essential Job Functions:

• Uphold the PETS Work Culture Agreement
• Follow Fear Free and Low-Stress Handling practices
• Provide daily care including feeding, watering, cleaning, and monitoring health
• Perform routine cleaning and disinfection per established protocols
• Provide basic enrichment and exercise to reduce stress
• Observe and report health or behavior concerns promptly
• Safely handle animals and seek assistance when needed
• Maintain clean, safe, and secure animal housing areas
• Assist with adoption support, including:
• Engaging with adopters
• Sharing basic animal information
• Supporting post-adoption follow-up
• Capture photos/videos and assist with animal profiles as needed
• Maintain a clean and organized work environment
• Support volunteers and new staff with guidance and modeling
• Attend required meetings and trainings
• Perform other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills and Ability:

• Ability to work independently and efficiently with minimal supervision.
• Works effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to multitask while providing quality care in a fast paced and high-volume setting.
• Effective communication skills.
• Maintains a neat and professional appearance.
• Compassion and empathy for both animals and owners.
• Comfortable in handling animals and making sound decisions based on safety.
• Ability to remain calm in a busy or stressful situation.
• Ability to manage emotional aspect of work in an animal welfare environment in a positive, professional manner.

Education/Experience:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 1 year of previous experience in an animal related field preferred.

Note: a comparable combination of education, experience or training that would provide a level of knowledge, skills, and ability may qualify individuals.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in all weather conditions.
• Ability to handle work around all companion animals.
• Ability to remain on feet for long periods of time.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to frequently bend, stoop and reach.
• Ability to be comfortable working with cats, dogs, small animals, reptiles, fish and wildlife.
• Due to nature of shelter work, may be exposed to deceased, fractious, or aggressive animals; hostile or irate persons; zoonotic or other diseases; unpleasant noises, odors, or sights; and extreme temperatures.

The job description is a guide to the essential functions of the job, not an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, qualifications, physical demands, and work environment conditions. Job descriptions are reviewed and revised to meet the changing needs of the organization at the sole discretion of management.

Anti-Cruelty is an equal opportunity employer.

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